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Customer Relationship Management software manages the business interactions with current and future customers using technology to organize, automate and synchronize sales, marketing, customer service, and technical support business process in an organization. CRM enable better interactions between organizations and their clients. As the name suggests, they are basically meant to allow better customer relationships. Some of the functionalities one can expect from robust CRM software packages include sales, marketing capabilities, customer support capabilities, data storage and organization tools, promotion tools, client acquisition capabilities, communication tools, digitized sales processes, contact management functions, aftersales fulfillment tools and staff management tools. CRM products are crucial for the entire sales process. They enable organizations to acquire clients and to maintain a healthy relationship with them. The businesses can promote its products, contact clients, draft business reports, analyze opportunities and promotion strategies or close sales using any decent CRM software package. It enables managers to run their firms from within CRM. This level of digitization has allowed businesses to cut expenses related to promotion, sales and after sales services. These CRM packages are the best for medium-sized businesses and corporations.

Proprietary Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software: Full paid version of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software which is available either in cloud or standalone client server architecture.

What are the benefits of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software?

There are many benefits to acquiring a CRM system. First, there is the improved collaboration between staffs and between departments because the best CRM software enable easier communication and cooperation between departments and among employees. This is especially true when it comes to the formulation and operationalization of client acquisition and/ or retention strategies.

Secondly, there is increased sales and revenues. CRM software products enable a better understanding of clients, promotion strategies and support services. This understanding allows companies to market better and to sell more goods and services. It also allows businesses to strategize better to retain more clients in the long run.

Thirdly, CRM products improve communication among team members and and their company’s clients. Better internal and external communication means healthier relationships between all those who are involved.

Fourth, CRM software products digitize multiple processes reducing the time and cost it takes to do certain tasks. For example, creating leads, up-selling and following up on inquiries used to take a lot of time. Some businesses frequently contracted external parties to do these tasks for them. However, a proper CRM software product will have the capabilities for these and many more functions.

Most importantly, CRM packages are known to enhance customer satisfaction. This is because they help organizations to seamlessly manage their exchanges with clients, helping every staff to work towards ensuring that the customers get what they want. And as we all know, organizations that focus on customer satisfaction almost always boost their sales and revenues.

Is a Free Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Worthwhile?

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software has many features and can do a lot to help your business to succeed by enabling your sales, marketing teams with the ncessary tools to track your Key Performance Indicators, but it can be expensive. There are many free Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software available. There are two category of Free Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software: Free Open Source Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software and Limited version of a Proprietary Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software.

Free Open Source Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software is a good choice, when you have a development team available in your company and when you want to try out the product or build new features and functionality on top of it. You need to spend time to set it up and running.

The limited version of a Proprietary Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software is a good way to see if it will be useful to your business before making a big investment but these software comes with limitations. A free limited version from a proprietary product company will make it easier to upgrade in the long run and also help you determine if that company’s solution is what you want.

There are also drawbacks to Free Limited version of a Proprietary Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software. These limited versions do not have nearly as many features available in a fully functional paid version, and there are limits such as number of dashboards, storage limits, number of reports, number of contacts, limited data integration options, and also on the number of users you can have. The free versions also have limited support options.

Is there a one size fits all solution? Absolutely not, each of these products has its own strength and merits on its core features and you will have to identify a right fit software based on your current and potential future requirements. This list of Free Proprietary Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software and Open Source Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software is a good start for you to reap the benefits of a CRM Implementation.

Top Open Source Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software

xTuple CRM

xTuple is an open source Corporate and Customer Relationship Management platform that integrates various business process of the supply chain functions of the business into one system. This includes support for manufacturing, distribution, sales and invoicing, and customer service. Its full-featured platform is customizable to specific workflows throughout the supply chain while also consolidating all information allowing more efficient work, better coordination and collaboration, and reduced risks for loss. As it integrates multiple processes into on, it breaks working silos and enhances the product, employee and customer journey with the product and business. And because it automates these processes compliance to set workflows and policies can also easily be tracked, audited and followed through. From order-taking, production scheduling, inventory management and shipping, to accounting and finance, xTuple automates and provides customizable workflows and controls to fit the business needs. xTuple provides working teams with actionable up to-date information and provides each business function with a complete visibility of the supply chain’s workload, tasks, deliverables, and performance. Its features allow the business to create leads and a sensible pipeline, track and analyze customer buying behavior enabling the company to effectively strategize and plan marketing, supply and pricing as well. The automation also keeps employees from mundane tasks and improves overall efficiency, accuracy and quality in completing deliverables.

xTuple also allows business to manage and support employees better through features that provide remote visibility and management, built-in reports and dashboards, defined workflows to reduce employee errors, improved and consolidated communication channels and better planned workloads.All information in xTuple is protected through defined security access and workflow approval levels.

WHAT IS BEST?

One-Click Quote to Sales Order

Accounts Receivable

Shipping / Receiving

Item Master Information

Bills of Materials (BOM)

Contacts

Opportunities

Incidents / Trouble Tickets

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

Lean / Contraint Management

Integrated 3rd Party Product / Pricing Service (e.g., Trade Service)

Advanced Sales Margin Handling

More Sales & Purchase Order Sequence / Structure Flexibility

Issue Inventory / Ship Directly from Sales Order

Vendor Special Pricing Agreements (SPA) with Contracts

BOTTOM LINE

xTuple is both a Corporate and Customer Relationship Management platform that provides multi-functional featured software that supports product manufacturers, distributors, sales teams, and different working departments in the business supply chain.

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